NATICK – Dr. William R. Sandel, age 71, of Natick and formerly of Dallas, TX, passed away peacefully with his daughters at his side on Friday, August 5th, 2016 at the Elliot Center for Health & Rehabilitation in Natick.
Born in Dallas, TX, he was the step-son of Mr. William K. Pullen and the late Louise Pullen of Arlington, TX. After living in Dallas, TX for 34 years, William moved to Natick in 1978. He was a 1963 graduate of W. H. Adamson High School in Dallas, TX, received a B.S. from the University of Texas in 1967, Cum laude, a Master’s Degree from the University of Texas in 1974, and a Ph.D. from L.S.U. Medical School in 1979.
Dr. Sandel served in the U.S. Army, from 1970 till 1972, at the Biomedical Research Division, Letterman General Hospital, Presidio in San Francisco, CA. and again served from 1978 till 1981, at USARIEM, Natick Laboratories, and the U.S. Army Reserve from 1981 till 2004. During this period, he served with the 351st General Hospital, Hanscom Air Force Base; 455th General Hospital, Providence, RI; 804th Medical Brigade, Fort Devens, MA; and as an instructor at the U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, PA from 2001 till 2004. In 2004, Dr. Sandel retired from military service with a rank of Colonel. During his military career, he graduated from Command and General Staff College in 1988, National Defense University in 1991, Naval War College in 1994, Air War College in 1996, and Army War College in 1999. He was twice awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.
Dr. Sandel was an adjunct professor at North Shore Community College, Framingham State University, Regis College from 2007 until just recently, and MassBay Community College from 1997 till 2015. He spoke frequently of his students, saying, in the vernacular, “God don’t make ‘em any better”. They were indeed the flower of his undying devotion. He loved them one and all and knew they were “tomorrow” and would make this a better place in which to live.
He was an avid stamp and coin collector, built model ships, did medical illustrations as hobbies, and read frequently about history.
He is survived by his two daughter Morgan-Anne Sandel of Natick, and Lee-Anne Sandel of Natick, his step-father, William K. Pullen, and his step mother Joan Frances Pullen of Mansfield, TX, his sister Glenda Carol Busch and her daughter, Blair Amanda Busch, both of Ft. Worth, TX, his aunt, Frances Nelson and her two sons, Bryan and Kevin Reese, all of Richardson, TX.
A celebration of life for Dr. Sandel will be held on Saturday, August 13 at 12:00 P.M. in the chapel of the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street, at Natick Common. Visiting hours will be on Friday between the hours of 4:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M. Burial will be held in private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.